Gameweek 19 Review and Gameweek 20 Preview

In surprising fashion, both Manchester teams lost. United at home against a spirited Blackburn side and City away at plucky Sunderland enjoying a revival under Martin O’Neill.

With Chelsea losing at home against Aston Villa, Tottenham managing only a draw at Swansea, this Gameweek was thoroughly enjoyed by both Liverpool and Arsenal. Both won at home.

Next Gameweek is all about the double fixtures for Tottenham and Everton.

Captain Picks

Adebayor: Has only had four blank Gameweeks since joining Tottenham. Likeliest of the double fixture players to get you double digits this Gameweek.

Bale: Was subdued against Swansea bot has been in top form for the last two months.

Van der Vaart: Got back to scoring ways against Swansea and could do damage if he starts in both games.

Differential: Baines who despite not hitting top form this season has 6, 11, and 5 points from the last three Gameweeks.

Gameweek 19

For the first (and perhaps the last) time this season, both Manchester teams lost. Rooney was dropped from the team because of disciplinary action from Ferguson and United limped to a 2-3 loss at Blackburn. Despite their loss, Valencia picked up another assist and Berbatov bagged a brace. Should he continue to start, he is again an option up front. I wouldn’t bet on it, but he would be a strong differential.

Yakubu was the difference from Blackburn and bagged a brace of his own along his two bonus points. He has 12 goals for the season and is proving the pick of the budget strikers.

Normality ensued with Van Persie scoring the winning goal against QPR and picking up maximum bonus points. Watch out for Vermaelen who picked up a knock and is a doubt for Fulham.

Bellamy and Gerrard were the architects of Newcastle’s downfall as they scored Liverpool’s goals in their 3-1 victory. Both players demand Fantasy consideration, should they become part of the first 11. That seems certain with Gerrard, less so with Bellamy.

Sunderland were solid at the back as they kept out Manchester City and smuggled a winning goal in the final minutes to secure an unlikely victory. Sessegnon notched the assist while Mignolet became the rare keeper to pick up maximum bonus points alongside his six saves.

S. Ireland notched a BAG (Bonus, Assist, Goal) to lead Aston Villa to a 1 – 3 away victory at Chelsea. The scoreline reinforces my view of staying away from the Chelsea defence. Aston Villa are somewhat of a mystery this season, looking drab one game and spirited the next. Should Ireland continue playing at that level he would be a steal at 5.6 but it would be wise to wait a couple of games and see if he can lay a serious claim to that first team spot.

Walters and Jermoe hit their own BAGs in Stoke’s 2 – 2 draw with Wigan. Moses scored for Wigan and Rodallega got both assists.

Double Gameweek – Tottenham

As I alluded to earlier in the post, this Gameweek it’s all about the double games for Tottenham and Everton. With Manchester City playing Liverpool, Manchester United away at Newcastle and Arsenal away at Fulham the potential of big Gameweeks is limited for other team in the top four is limited.

Tottenham, on the other hand, play two games at home: West Brom and Everton. You should have three Tottenham players in your team, and preferably at least two of Adebayor, Bale, and Van der Vaart.

Other considerations are Friedel in goal, Walker, Assou-Ekotto, Gallas and Kaboul (if you believe they will play both games), Modric, and Sandro (could be rotated).

I wouldn’t invest in other players from Tottenham.

Double Gameweek – Everton

Everton’s double Gameweek upside is more limited, but they still should enjoy the visit of struggling Bolton to Goodison Park. The away game at Tottenham will be tough and you shouldn’t expect more than two points from your Everton players from that game.

But with the Bolton game, that could be two extra points on a clean sheet or goal for Baines, Everton’s main attacking threat throughout the years. He hasn’t hit top form but still has 6, 11, and 5 points from the last three games and is your best bet for Everton, should you afford him at 7.7.

Hibbert is the cheapest entry point into the defence and provides the rare assist and bonus as he demonstrated in Gameweek 19. Jagielka and Distin are solid choices and Heitinga won’t get you more than 4 points over the two games.

In the midfield your safest bet is Osman, who has been playing behind the striker in the last couple of games. Drenthe is a risk (wasn’t in the squad against West Brom), Cahill didn’t score in 2012, and Rodwell is unlikely two play the full game time in both games.

The arrival of Donovan muddies the water even further for the midfield options.

I wouldn’t invest in Everton’s forward line.

Big Hitters

I don’t think I need to mention him, but of course you play Robin van Persie. With the form he is in, you could even captain him if you don’t have any of Tottenham’s big hitters.

I really don’t know what to make of Manchester United, but a scrappy 1 – 2 victory isn’t unlikely with some help from Nani and Valencia. Following Rooney’s drop I’m not confident predicting the forward line as he could even drop Berbatov despite his 6 goals in 3 games.

Other interesting options this Gameweek:

Silva and Aguero will return for City but could be thwarted by a solid Liverpool defence. I would play them, but not captain them.

Yakubu will be in high spirits after his brace and is on penalties for Blackburn.

Clean Sheets

Tottenham and Everton have two chances this Gameweek and are both likely to pick one up in their home games. If you have to choose between players, choose Tottenham defenders (see above for a list of players).

I would put a bet on Aston Villa keeping Swansea out, who have been terrible at scoring away from home. Warnock is the pick of the Aston Villa defence.

Manchester City v Liverpool has 0 – 0 written all over it, with Livepool likely to drop back and rely on counter-attacks. Enrique and Kompany are my pick of the defences.

Double Gameweek

Don’t get caught out by the short time between Gameweeks and do your transfers and team setup right now.

Good luck and may your captain hit the hattrick.

Comments

Looks like Adeb as captained hasn’t worked thus far for this GW, fortunately Bale assisted. To top things off my 3 Everton players got 1-1-1 with 2 of them injured. Here’s to hoping for a goal bonanza in the final GW20 fixture!

Hi Gummi, nice round-up! A truly amazing GW. It begs the question how will the second half of the season be? The answer is of course that we don’t know, but here’s my review of GWs 1-19. Feedback most welcome as always! Cheers.

I’m excited to read the round-up of the first half. It’s a good idea for a post, and there are some lessons to be learned.

I captained Adebayor this Gameweek, and Tottenham were frustrating against West Brom. I’m not confident we’ll see a big score against Everton either, so the much anticipated double Gameweek could be a dud.